Acclaimed choreographer Annette Carmichael takes on artistic director role with Southern Edge Arts in Albany

Southern Edge Arts has announced that award-winning Australian choreographer and creative producer Annette Carmichael has been appointed as the youth performing arts organisation’s new artistic director. A graduate of WAAPA, Carmichael has previously worked as arts manager for West Australian Ballet, Perth Festival, Regional Arts WA and Circuit West. Her most recent work was The Stars Descend, a collaborative dance project undertaken with scientists, artists, elders and eco-organisation Gondwana Link that was performed across a 1000km wildlife corridor in southern WA last year. “Southern Edge Arts is thrilled to welcome Annette Carmichael as our Artistic Director,” SEA chairperson Natalie Reeves said. “Annette is an award-winning regional creative producer who will build on our youth performance and community arts legacy to foster creativity and connection for an exciting time ahead for SEA.” Collaboration has been a key component of Carmichael’s work with performances fusing dance, skateboarding, rollerskating, textiles, music, theatre and visual design. Carmichael has also worked for Denmark Arts and Vancouver Arts Centre and her commitment to creativity in the regions is evident in the vitality of her oeuvre. “Southern Edge Arts is a powerhouse of creativity that transforms the lives of young people and the communities around them,” she said. “I am excited to take up the role of artistic director and lead the team of excellent people who carefully nurture this enduring arts organisation.” “Together we will continue the trajectory of SEA as a safe and inclusive place that creates life-changing artistic experiences.”